Apparatus for dispensing fluent material



1951 w. F. MIDDLESTADT APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING FLUENT MATERIAL 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed June 20, 1945 WWW/B,

1951 w. F. MIDDLESTADT 2,578,080

APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING FLUENT MATERIAL Filed June 20, 1945 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 25 NOB/LE F10. 5

INVENTOR.

BY WILL/n0 Ell/00L ESTHDT Patented Dec. 11, 1951 APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING FLUEN-T MATERIAL William F. Middlestadt, Baltimore, Md., assignor to The James Gibbons Company, Relay, Md.

Application June 20, 1945, Serial No, 600,538

9 Claims. (01. 94*3'9') This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for dispensing or depositing fluent material in controlled quantities and more particularly to an arrangement for filling the gap of expansion joints" between pavement sections with a liquid sealing medium up to a predetermined level. I

It is the object of the present invention to provide an arrangement for depositing rapidly and conveniently a predetermined quantity of fluent material, the level of which is maintained automatically, without special attention or skill by an operator.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an arrangement which is simple, economical and rugged in construction and which may be employed efiectively in depositing a heated plastic mass in controlled quantity along a predetermined course for the purpose of filling a space up to a predetermined level, which level is maintained automatically as the dispensing apparatus is moved along this course.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a depositing apparatus for filling the expansion joints of pavements or roadways which is capable of yielding to the irregularities of the roadway in order to deposit the sealing medium, which generally is in the form' of a heated asphaltic mass, up to the desired level with neatness and dispatch and without waste of the material.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus which is self-contained and which may be movedmanually over a predetermined course in order to deposit a mass of fluent material up to a predetermined level without any waste thereof.

The invention proceeds upon the principle of moving a reservoir or supply of fluent material, which in the illustrated embodiment of the invention is in the form of a heated asphaltic liquid composition generally employed 'in the filling of the gaps between pavement sections in the construction of expansion joints therebetween, and depositing the liquid material up to a predeterminedlevel in the gap, which is controlled automatically by aspirating away the excess material from the point of deposition of the liquid material in the gap by means of a conduit extending to the point of. deposition in conjunction with the depositing nozzle for the liquid material. In. the handling of such plastic masses as asphaltic compositions, a. heated atmosphere is necessary in order to maintain the same in a molten state, which atmosphere is produced by means of a burner for forming a heated jacketed space around the mass of material in the reservoir. Furthermore, in order to facilitate the deposit of: the material and the recirculation of the excess material, a heated environment is furnished around the depositing nozzle as well as in the vicinity of the aspiratingi tube. The deposition of the material is maintained clear without over-running by the additional expedient of a flexible scraper operating in conjunction with the aspirating nozzle.

The invention. utilizes a recirculating pump submerged in the mass of fluent or liquid material which may be operated by a prime mover of any type disposed externally thereof. The function. of the recirculating pump is to recover the excess material from the point of deposition in order to maintain automatically the desired level of the material along the course of its deposition. Also, the rate of deposition of the material may be controlled conveniently in dependence uponthe. volumetric requirements of the space to be filled by the material and the rate of travel of the ambulatory dispensing apparatus.

The arrangement contemplates an interlock between the valve for controlling the depositing function and the nozzle for controlling the recirculating function, so that the latter is brought into play when the valve is opened to initiate the dispensing operation and the aspirating nozzle is raised out of operative position when the control valve is closed to end the dispensing operation.

' Other objects and purposes will appear from the more detailed description of the invention following hereinafter, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig; 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig: 2 is a vertical sectional view with certain parts. in elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Figs 3 is a bottom view of the depositing and recirculating conduits and appurtenant attachments adjacent to the ground level;

Fig: 4 is. aright end view of Fig. I with certain parts eliminated; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the detail of the universal joint connection between the container and the movable nozzle as shown in Fig. 2.

The. preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated as a liquid depositing aparatus for filling. the gaps between pavement sections. for the completion of expansion joints therebetween,

but the same principles may be employed in all types of dispensing apparatus in which the filling of a space with a fluent or liquid material up to a predetermined level by an ambulatory source of supply of the material is sought to be obtained.

As may be seen in the drawings, an ambulatory source of supply of the liquid material shown as a mass of pitch P in a container [4 is adapted to be moved over a space to be filled therewith up to a predetermined level. This space, is clearly shown in Fig. 4 between the pavement section M, having a filler core F of conventional expansion joint material at the base thereof leaving a space at the top for the filling of a sealing medium. An operator guides the frame iii, mounted on leading wheel I l and main wheels l2 over the expansion joint by pushing along the handle l3 to keep the course of the ambulatory reservoir 14 roughly over the gap between the sections. The provision of a guide lug 41 projecting into the gap, which guide lug is affixed to, or forms part of, the universally mounted depositing nozzle 43 described in detail hereinafter, serves to maintain the latter in effective depositing position in the gap.

The special container or reservoir 14 may be filled with the asphaltic composition P through the removable lid 15 provided with a venting aperture IS. The container l4, having a cylindrical configuration at the upper portion thereof, and a conical portion at the base thereof, is formed with spaced lateral walls in order to provide spaces 20 and 24 at the upper and lower portions of the container which may be heated in order to maintain the mass in a fiuid state to facilitate the dispensing thereof. A heated atmosphere is generated by means of a burner 22 disposed in a conduit 23 extending forwardly of the base of container 14 which is adapted to direct heated air currents into the chambers 23 and 24 surrounding the container. This heated atmosphere may be controlled by venting the same in adjustable degrees through the exhaust in conduit H which is controlled by a damper l8 operated externally by the damper handle [9. A fuel reservoir 2!, provided with a suitable filler cap, is attached to the container for supplying fuel to the burner 22 in controlled amounts by means of valve 25 which may also be used to cut oif the source of supply to the burner when the materials handled by the dis ensing arrangement do not require heat in order to enable or facilitate the dispensing thereof.

A heated environment is also produced adjacent to the ultimate dispensing outlet 28 from noz le 43 which is universally mounted at the outlet point of the nozzle 4! connected to the base of the chamber 14. The outlet nozzle 4| is controlled by the discharge valve 40 overlying a seat therefor at the bottom of the chamber. The arcuate housing 2'! guides some of the heated air produced in conduit 23 around the nozzle 43 and adjacent to the point of deposition of the material, as well as against the suction conduit 34 to facilitate the recirculation of the excessive material. The ball joint 42 connecting nozzle 4| with outlet nozzle 43 may be of conventional construction and the same permits an up and down movement of the outlet nozzle 43 as well as a toand-fro movement thereof by virtue of a l y Sized p g in the upper wall of hatlng conduit 27. This movement is sufficient omaintain the discharge point 28 of the outlet nozzle Over the p. as guided by the, lug 41 movable therein, despite irregularities in the ele vation and in the lateral contours of the gap.

The material is dispensed from the reservoir it by gravity upon the raising of the valve 40 by a lifting of the rod 39 to which the same is connected, as described in detail below, whereupon the liquid mass is deposited in the gap provided therefor. If desired, the valve may be reversely arranged so that it is opened by a downward movement and closed by a resilient force acting upwardly. The opening of the valve is arranged so that more material is deposited than that required to fill the space available so that the excess material at the point of deposition accumulates at the point G and is aspirated or sucked up from that point by means of the conduit 34, the outlet end of which extends into the casing I4 into the suction side of recirculating pum 32 which pumps up the material through conduit 36 connected to the outlet of the pump for discharge through its open end 38 to replenish the supply of the material in the container 14. An outlet vent 31 is provided at the upper end of the conduit 36 for the discharge of air accumulated in the recirculating operation.

The circulating pump 32 is shown submerged in the mass of heated liquid material and is adapted to be driven by a prime mover 30 mounted on the frame. This prime mover may assume the form of an internal combustion engine, the operating shaft l3 of which extends into the container through a packing gland 33 for the purpose of driving the circulating pump. In lieu of engine 36, an electric motor may be employed which may be supplied by cable, reel or equivalent device from a source of electric power. Furthermore, while the pump 32 is shown submerged in the heated mass in container M in order to recirculate the normally plastic mass effectively, the pump may be dis posed externally of the casing when the material handled thereby will occasion no gumming up of the pump.

While the suction conduit 34 may terminate in a nozzle separate and distinct from the outlet nozzle 43, the same is shown as a'continiiation thereof in view of the yieldability of the latter. Thus the effective level control portion is the level of the juncture 23 between the two nozzles. If this point is adjusted below the surface of the roadway a partial filling of the gap may be attained. The suction conduit 34 embodies an intermediate bellows section 35 which enables a substantial movement of the outlet end of nozzle 34 to take place without disturbing the continuity of the connection. Wing 48,- mounted on suction conduit 34 is connected to arm 53 of control lever 5! by means of link 49 and serves; to lift the suction conduit from its operative position. A flexible scraper 48, which may be formed of abric reenforced rubber belting of approximately thickness into a V-conflguration, is also mounted on the suction conduit and serves to scrape clean the upper surface of the roadway in supplement to the removal of the excess material through the suction pipe. This scraper 46 may be adjustably mounted upon the suction conduit 34 through the intermediary of a collar 44 to which the scraper is attached", which collar may be moved adjustably along the length of conduit 34 and clamped in adjusted position by bolts 45 for the purpose of adjustably controlling the mass of excess material which is aspirated through conduit 34 prior to the scraping action of scraper v46 on'the level of t e material.

inactivate the apparatus.

An interlock for the valve Al and the suction conduit .34 may be provided by means of a mechanical linkage operated by lever disposed for convenient control of the operator in the course of propelling the device. A springit, con nected to lever 5!, is effective through lever .sys tern 54 and 55 to enable the valve 48 to fall by gravity on its seat to shut off the dispensing of the material. If desired, the valve may be weighted on rod or spring .53 may act upon a nut provided on rod 39 to obtain a tight seating action. The movement of lever 50 permitted by spring also lifts the suction conduit 34 as well as nozzle 43 from its depositing level to Upon a positive manipulation of lever 5! b the operator in a reverse direction, which may be latched by means of latch 52 provided on lever 58 cooperating with a retaining pin on frame it, the valve ll! is raised a predetermined amount, depending upon the setting of adjustable nut 55, and the discharge nozzle and suction conduit is are lowered into op rative position adjacent to the gap to be filled with the material.

The gap may be filled to a level below the adjacent surfaces of the pavement sections by interposing the effective end of conduit 34 below said level, i. e. when juncture 29 would bedisposed below the level of the pavement or when a separate suction conduit would extend therein. v As set forth above, the dispensing arrangement disclosed abovemay be used for controlling the level of deposition of any fluent material whether it be in a liquid, viscous or even solid powdered state. In fact, the gaps of the expansion joints may be filled with powdered asphalt material which is available on the open market. event a heated atmosphere directly behind the machine produced by a fiame, heated roller or the like could be used to melt the powdered material into a homogeneous mass. Also, if desired, another nozzle behind the aspirating tube could discharge a regulated amount of cutback or solvent to produce a coalescence of the asphaltic material.

In the handling of powdered materials, a suction fan of the type used in vacuum cleaners would be preferableto a positive displacement pump as shown in the illustrated embodiment for handling of liquid filler materials- A plurality of devices as shown may be coupled together for filling simultaneously a series of gaps as may be found on large airports. For example, two of such units mounted" on each side of a large supply truck will enable the fill- 115 ing of two lateral joints without necessitating frequent stops for refilling comparatively smaller containers.

While I have described my invention as embodied in specific forms and as operating in In that 1 specific manners for purposes of illustration, it

filling the gap between pavement sections with an asphaltic sealing composition, comprising a wheeled frame movable over the gap between said pavement sections, a container carried by said frame for said composition, means for heating said container to maintain said composition in a liquid state, an outletnozzle for discharging the contents of said container at a depositing point having one end thereof pivotally connected to said container and the other end thereof adjacent to said gap for the discharge of the liquid composition thereinto, a guide lug on the bottom of said discharge nozzle projecting into said gap, a suction nozzle closely adjaoent to said depositing point having a portion thereof connected with the upper surface of said outlet nozzle whereby both move in unison and with the inlet end thereof at a predetermined level, .a flexible scraper mounted on said suction nozzle acting on the surfaces of said pavement sections on the opposite sides of said. gap, a pump for exerting an aspirating action at said inlet end of the suction nozzle for withdrawin the asphaltic composition discharged by said outlet nozzle higher than said predetermined level for return to said container, whereby said asphaltic composition is deposited automatically within said gap up to said predetermined level, and an extensible conduit connect- .ed between said suction nozzle and said pump for permitting movement of said suction nozzle and flexible scraper.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said container is provided with a valve to control the discharge through said outlet nozzle, and control means interconnecting said valve and said suction nozzle and scraper assembly to close said valve when said nozzle is lifted from the surfaces of the pavement sections.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flexible scraper is formed in a V-configuration and is adjustably mounted relative to the effective inlet end of the suction nozzle.

4. An ambulatory dispensing apparatus for fluent material comprising a movable frame adapted to be moved along a predetermined course, a container carried by said frame for said fluent material, an outlet nozzle connected to said container for dischargin the contents of said container at a depositing point into a space therefor, a confining blade extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of said frame and mounted adjacent and behind the lower end of said outlet nozzle for confining the fluent material thereby, a suction nozzle closely adjacent to the point of deposition of the material, ahead of said blade, and with the inlet end thereof at a predetermined level, and means for exerting an aspirating action thereat for withdrawing the materialdischarged by said outlet nozzle higher than said predetermined level whereby said material is deposited automatically up to said predetermined level.

5. An ambulatory dispensing apparatus for liquid material comprising a wheeled frame adapted to move along a predetermined course, a container carried by said frame for the liquid material, a movable outlet nozzle connected to said container for discharging the contents thereof within a space provided therefor at a point of deposition, a blade extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of said frame mounted closely behind said outlet nozzle for confining the liquid material thereby, a suction nozzle closely adjacent to said point of deposition of the material, ahead of said blade and with the inlet end thereof at a predetermined level, a pump for exerting an aspirating action at the end of said suction nozzle for Withdrawing the material discharged by said outlet nozzle higher than said predetermined level for return to said container, whereby said material is deposited automatically within said space up to said predetermined level.

6. An ambulatory dispensing apparatus for plastic material comprising a wheeled movable frame adapted to be guided along a predetermined course, a jacketed container carried by said frame for said plastic material and means for heating the jacket of said container to render said plastic material readily flowable, an outlet nozzle connected to said container for discharging the contents of said container within a space provided therefor at a point of deposition, a blade extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of said frame mounted closely behind said outlet nozzle for confining the plastic material thereby, a suction nozzle closely adjacent to said point of deposition of the liquid plastic material, ahead of said blade and with the inlet end thereof terminating at a predetermined level, and a pump for exertin an aspirating action at the inlet end of said suction nozzle for withdrawing the material discharged by said outlet nozzle higher than said predetermined level for return to said container, whereby said material is deposited automatically within said space up to said predetermined level.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said pump is disposed on the inside of said container and a prime mover is mounted on said frame with driving connections therebetween and said pump for driving the latter.

8. An ambulatory dispensing apparatus for filling the gap between pavement sections with an aspha-ltic sealing composition, comprising a wheeled frame movable over the gap between said pavement sections, a container carried by said frame for said composition, means for heating said container to maintain said composition in a liquid state, an outlet nozzle connected to said container for discharging the contents of said container into said gap at a depositing point, a blade extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of said frame mounted closely behind said outlet nozzle for confining the sealing composition thereby, a suction nozzle closely adjacent to said depositing point, ahead of said blade and with the inlet end thereof terminatin at a predetermined level, and a suction pump connected to said suction nozzle for withdrawing the asphaltic composition discharged by said outlet nozzle higher than said predetermined level for return to said container, whereby said asphaltic composition is deposited automatically within said gap up to said predetermined level.

9. An ambulatory dispensing apparatus for filling the gap between pavement sections with an asphaltic sealing composition, comprising a wheeled frame movable over the gap between said pavement sections, a container having spaced walls carried by said frame for said composition, a burner for generatin heat within the spaced walls or said container to maintain said composition in a liquid state, an outlet nozzle for discharging the contents of said container at a depositing point having one end thereof pivotally connected to said container and the other end thereof adjacent to said gap for the dis charge of the liquid composition thereinto, a blade extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of said frame mounted closely behind said outlet nozzle for confining the sealing composition thereby, a suction nozzle closely adjacent to said depositing point ahead of said blade, said suction nozzle havin a portion thereof connected with said outlet nozzle whereby both move in unison and with the inlet end thereof at a predetermined level, a pump submerged in the heated asphaltic material within said container for exerting an aspirating action at the inlet end of the suction nozzle for withdrawing the asphaltic composition discharged by said outlet nozzle higher than said predetermined level for return to said container, whereby said asphaltic composition is deposited automatically within said gap up to said predetermined level, and a prime mover mounted on said frame for driving said pump.

WILLIAM F. MIDDLESTADT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

